Syston church was full for the Circuit Service on 29th January.  The singing went very well enhanced by the organ, choir and the Laudate band.

The preacher was the Rev’d Inderjit Bhogal, former President of the Methodist Conference and now leader of the Corrymeela community in Belfast. 

Jill Marsh, minister at Bishop St Methodist Church in Leicester City Centre; Dave; Rachel; Inderjit Bhogal and his wife Kathy

The theme of the service was that “in the shelter of each other we find sanctuary.”  Inderjit spoke of the different places in the UK, including Leicester, where people are working together to make cities of Sanctuary.  He called on us to try to create sanctuary in the areas where we live.  In our churches this will involve working and talking together and, in particular, gathering together around God’s table to worship.  It will involve each person loving God above all, and our neighbours as ourselves.  Above all we will need to ask God for his blessing in all we do so that he can work through us.

After worship it became clear that some people had been very busy to provide us with a good lunch!

Joan, Jean, Jim, Olga, Jane, Marion and Sylvia enjoy lunch after the Circuit service.  The delicious soup was made by members of Syston congregation 

Our children and younger people breaking down the barrier they had made, representing the barriers that keep people apart

One response….

For many decades, a powerful misconception about the Christian faith has been that it is principally about not doing things (like swearing, drinking to excess or shopping on Sundays).  Inderjit’s sermon led one of our retired local preachers, Jim Nuttall, to a powerful revelation.  Jim writes,

“It was as I was looking at the cross at the Circuit Service that I realised that Jesus had ended his life on the cross because of his own deliberate actions.”

It is what we choose to do, even more than what we choose to avoid doing, that is decisive as we try to follow Jesus.

Another possible response…..

At the Circuit Meeting on 1st March, we will decide what we might do to help Leicester achieve “City of Sanctuary” status.  One way would be to sign a pledge of our support.  This would involve us in recognising the contribution that asylum seekers and refugees make to the city of Leicester, and formally committing ourselves to welcoming and including them.  Whilst only members of the Circuit Meeting can vote, anyone from the churches is welcome to attend so please come and join the debate if you wish.  For those with internet access, more information can be found at www.cityofsanctuary.org/leicester